We are thrilled to announce that the National Park Service (NPS) has contracted with the firm of Lord Aeck Sargent for the first-ever, comprehensive trail management plan conducted in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA). Applied Trails Research, known for its science-based approach to outdoor recreation, will serve as a sub-contractor.

This fall, Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy and Trust for Public Land will present checks to the NPS that total $50,000 to support this critical planning effort. These funds have been raised through our matching campaign program conducted this past summer – and generous gifts to our organizations from individual, foundation and corporate donors. Thank you!

An enthusiastic supporter of the initiative, Superintendent Bill Cox says: “The plan will be the cornerstone for maintaining an excellent trail system in the recreation area going into the future. Being able to put people on fairly long distance trails in some beautiful natural areas sets the CRNRA apart from other public green spaces in the metro Atlanta region.” In a separate effort, Cox and his team are working on a plan to enhance the 48-mile National Water Trail that connects the park’s fifteen land units.

As trail walkers, hikers and bikers know, the more than eighty miles of trails in the CRNRA have been loved to death over four decades and many are in desperate need of maintenance and restoration; some may need to be closed and new trails created. Opportunities also exist to connect the CRNRA trails with local, community trails and will be identified in this effort.

We will continue to update you on progress made and any public meetings; the plan is expected to be completed by next spring.

PEOPLE OF THE PARK

Tammy Bates fell in love with gardening at her grandmother’s farm outside Jackson, Mississippi, where she grew up, and learned to fish and enjoy water sports on nearby Ross Barnett Reservoir. Fortunately for the Chattahoochee River, Tammy moved to Atlanta thirty years ago and, for the past decade, has been putting her love of nature and expertise in event logistics to work to help our river and its parks. After years as a corporate event planner, Tammy offered her services to the nonprofit world and, in 2007, was hired by Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. She has helped grow CRK’s Annual River Race and Festival and created the River Discovery Program in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA).

Not long after CPC was established, Tammy volunteered with the CRNRA friends group because she saw “such a need for people to help the National Park Service with its programs.” In 2016, she joined our board and began organizing annual events, such as the Paddle-Camp Extravaganza held in the fall and our Member Celebration. With her husband Jerry Bickford, she also spends hours at the park each week supporting the staff with various tasks. We’re lucky to have Tammy as a member of our team!

THINGS TO DO...

FREE Member Celebration!Oct 29, Paces Mill (1-3:30PM)

BARBECUE, BEVERAGES AND A FIREPIT BY THE RIVER! You do not want to miss CPC’s Annual Member Celebration on Sunday, Oct 29. Our venue this year is the Paces Mill Unit of the CRNRA near Vinings. Join us to honor park supporters, celebrate our accomplishments and hear from Superintendent Bill Cox about improvements planned for this popular park unit and more.

Not a CPC member yet, or need to renew your membership? Join/renew here. Planning to come? Members must register here. We look forward to seeing you soon!

The 2017 CPC-REI Paddle Camp Extravaganza, held in late September, was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who joined us for camping at Abbotts Bridge, a river paddle and cleanup, pump-track biking, SUP instruction, live music, barbecue, fire pit, morning yoga and more! This is the only camping opportunity allowed in the CRNRA every year; mark your calendars for fall 2018.

CRNRA WISH LIST:Two canoes, a vehicle vacuum, a wall surface cleaner (restrooms), a Dewalt 2-speed planer and a Roland plotter. If you can donate any of these items, or would like to donate funds to help us purchase them, please contact info@chattahoocheeparks.org.

Become a member of Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy today!As a member, you can help us achieve our vision of an inspiredand thriving community of support for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.Click here to join!

Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy Inc. is proud to support our Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, a unit of the national park system managed by the National Park Service. Visit our website at www.chattahoocheeparks.org.